At the March 11 town council meeting, landscapers and residents once again discussed the pros and cons of electric and gas-powered leaf blowers as spring approaches.
With spring just around the corner, the loud buzzing of gas-powered blowers has already begun. Several residents voiced frustration over the noise, especially those who work from home and struggle to concentrate due to the frequent disruptions.
Concerns about electric blowers included the high cost of purchasing new equipment and the lifespan of lithium batteries. Additionally, some residents worried about potential conflict, as neighbors could report one another for using gas-powered blowers, submitting photos as evidence. Richard Leonardis, owner of Jersey Power Equipment, and landscaper Joseph Vina raised the issue of fines, pointing out that a homeowner could be penalized if their landscaper uses a gas blower. Leonardis shared his experience, saying, “I lay down the law with my landscaper and tell them the rules. If they get a warning, we both get fined. If I fire them and hire another landscaper, they get a warning too. It’s my second offense, and I get a $500 fine.”
Several residents and council members suggested holding a referendum to let the township vote on the blower issue. Council member Asmeret Ghebremicael clarified that the referendum would not address the seasonal ban currently in place, but would focus on a permanent ban starting in 2026. If the seasonal ban remains in effect, residents would need to use electric blowers after April 15.
Related topics：
- Long Beach Township to Enforce Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Restrictions
- Alexandria Considers Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Regulations
- Debate Continues Over Gas Leaf Blower Ban in West Orange
